7th Sunday of the Year (C)
Sexagesima
ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL COMMITTEE BIAS
Committee stage of the assisted suicide bill has begun, raising serious concerns about its conduct. The committee has been stacked with a higher number of MPs who support the bill. Nearly twice as many witnesses supported assisted suicide than the number who opposed it. Important voices have been excluded, including the government’s chief suicide prevention strategy advisor, the British Geriatrics Society and a number of disability rights groups, senior palliative care doctors and legal experts with relevant expertise. MPs must be aware of the serious issues in the scrutiny of the bill. It is vital they know your concerns and vote against it at third reading. Please take action now and visit www.righttolife.org.uk/ASBillAction to write to your MP - it takes just 30 seconds!
ORATORY SCOUT GROUP
Our Scouts Group has moved under the umbrella of the Catholic Scouts of Europe and is now ready to accept new applications for boys from School Years 3 to 6 (Cubs), Y7 to Y11 (Scouts) and girls between Y3 to Y6 (Guides Cubs), Y7 to Y11 (Guides). Email oratoryscoutgroup@bromptonoratory.co.uk.
THE MESSY FAMILY PROJECT DAY RETREAT
On Saturday 8th March, Mike and Alicia Hernon of The Messy Family Project will lead a retreat for married couples who have children in the home, on the topic of “The Four Disciplines of a Family”. The retreat will take place in St Wilfrid’s Hall, 10am–4.30pm. The fee is £50 per couple and booking is essential. For more information, see https://messyfamilyproject.org/uk-tour-2025/. To book, see https://buytickets.at/bromptonoratory/1523214. For any enquiries, email oratory.mfp@gmail.com.
ATTEMPTED THEFT – SECURING YOUR POSSESSIONS IN CHURCH
Sadly, there have been recent incidents of attempted theft from people attending the Oratory. Please make sure your possessions are secure even when you are praying in church and keep them with you at all times. If concerned about your immediate safety, call the police on 999. Report anything suspicious by phone or text to Parish Safeguarding at 07511214535.
Begging in church should not be encouraged. Our experience shows that giving directly to people who are begging often does not always help. Through supporting charities that work with people in need, you can be reassured that your donation will be used in the right way in a variety of services. You can pick up a leaflet at the back of the church with accommodation and support options for the homeless and those in need.
ORATORY BOOKSHOP & REPOSITORY
The shop is usually open: Sunday 10am–5.30pm. Monday 10am–1pm and 2pm–6pm. Tuesday 10am–1pm and 2pm–6pm, Wednesday 11am–3pm, Thursday 10.30am–3pm, Friday 10am–1pm and 2–6pm. Saturday 10.30am–4pm. As the shop is staffed by volunteers, times may vary. To confirm opening hours, please phone the Oratory House (02078080900). Fr Michael Lang’s new book A Short History of the Roman Mass is on offer for £12. The shop is also now selling 1962 missals for £50.
ORDER OF MALTA CAMPAIGN IN AID OF THE HOLY LAND
The Order of Malta in Great Britain is hoping to raise £200,000 to support the Order’s work in the Holy Land. After the ceasefire earlier in January between Israel and Hamas, Malteser International will use funds to support its humanitarian work responding to varying critical needs in Gaza (hospital supplies and medical aid), Lebanon (mobile food kitchens and medical support), and Bethlehem (support for the Holy Family Hospital). Any donation is gratefully welcomed. For more information and how to donate, click here.
JUBILEE YEAR INDULGENCES
The Diocese of Westminster has produced a guide how to obtain the plenary indulgence for the Jubilee Year, without the need to travel to Rome or other pilgrimage centres around the world. The guide is available as https://rcdow.org.uk/jubilee-2025/the-jubilee-indulgence-step-by-step/
JUBILEE VOLUNTEERING FAIR
Saturday 8th March, 3pm to 5pm in Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, London SW1P 1QW. To celebrate the Jubilee of Volunteering, Caritas Westminster is inviting you to a Volunteering Fair. To find out more, visit https://caritaswestminster.org.uk/event/jubilee-volunteering-fair/ or email cvs@rcdow.org.uk.
TALKS ON THE NICENE CREED
To celebrate the Jubilee Year and the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, there will be a talk at Allen Hall Seminary (28 Beaufort Street, Chelsea, SW3 5AA) entitled, “Consubstantial with the Father: Christ our Hope” on Saturday 22nd March at 3pm. It will be given by Canon John O’Leary, Rector of Allen Hall, who teaches philosophy at the seminary and lectures in theology at St Mary’s University Twickenham. You are invited to stay for refreshments after the talk and enjoy a tour of Allen Hall with an explanation of its rich history starting at 5pm. You are also most welcome to join the Allen Hall community for Vespers at 5:30 pm. This will end with devotions to the Douai Martyrs – including veneration of St Cuthbert Mayne’s relic. The evening will finish at about 6 pm. Just coming for the talk is fine. To help plan for numbers, please register to attend by emailing parector@rcdow.org.uk.
MASS FOR BEREAVED PARENTS
A Mass for bereaved parents will be celebrated in Westminster Cathedral by Bishop Paul McAleenan on Saturday 5th April at 2pm.
ANNUAL MASS FOR MATRIMONY
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 17th May, at 2.30pm. Our Cardinal Archbishop is inviting to this Mass all couples in the diocese who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th (and any year over 60) anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2025. If you are celebrating such an anniversary and want to take part in this Mass, please contact Fr Michael Lang at michaellang@rcdow.org.uk by 24th April, and give him the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, number of years married, postal address and email (or phone number, if no email).
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
The annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes led by Cardinal Nichols will take place from 25th July to 1st August For more information go to https://rcdow.org.uk/pilgrimages/lourdes/ or contact Elizabeth Uwalaka in the Pilgrimage Office at elizabethuwalaka@rcdow.org.uk or phone 020 7798 9173.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISES FOR MEN
Five-day Ignatian retreats for men only conducted in English by the Fathers of Abbaye Saint-Joseph de Clairval in Flavigny (France): Sunday 30th March to Friday 4th April in Stonyhurst, Lancashire, Sunday 13th to Friday 18th July in Creeslough, Co. Donegal, Ireland, and Tuesday 22nd to Sunday 27th July in Kilsheelan, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. For more information and how to book, see https://www.clairval.com/en/spiritual-retreats/retreats/.
DIVINE ENCOUNTERS: INDIGENOUS MEETS BAROQUE
On Wednesday 26th February at 7.00pm, the ensemble El Parnaso Hyspano (which gave two very successful concerts in the Little Oratory) will perform at St Mary Moorfields, 4–5 Eldon Street, EC2M 7LS the Indigenous baroque opera San Francisco Xavier (composed by an Indigenous musician in the Jesuit missions and sung in the Chiquitano language). This will be accompanied by the world premiere of a cantata from the same period. The concert will last for approximately one hour, without interval, and will be followed by a wine reception. Click here for more information and how to purchase tickets.
SCRIPTURE RETREAT ON THE BOOK OF TOBIT
Fr Thomas Crean OP will lead a Scripture retreat at St Joseph's Centre in Ashurst in the New Forest from Friday 7th to Sundy 9th March. The cost of the weekend, include full board, will be £200. The subject will be “The Book of Tobit”. If you are interested, please contact him for further details on thomas.crean@english.op.org.
ONLINE COURSE: THE GEOMETRY OF COSMATESQUE ORNAMENT
Cosmatesque ornament is a type of inlay stonework used to decorate medieval churches in Rome and in its vicinity. Elaborate patterns on floors, columns and immovable church furnishings were made from coloured stone or glass cut into small geometric shapes. A notable example outside of Italy is the marble floor of Westminster Abbey. Cosmatesque ornament is a beautiful, if less known, ingredient of the artistic heritage of the Church, a Catholic geometric art. During this online course organised by the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts from 5th March to 9th April 2025 students will learn about the different components of a Cosmatesque pavement and will acquire skills necessary to analyse and draw the various parts and their infilling patterns with the use of a compass and ruler. All levels of ability and experience in geometric drawing are welcome. For further information and to book, click here.
MARIAN APOSTLES GROUP PILGRIMAGE TO FRANCE
The Marian Apostles group is organising a pilgrimage to France from Friday 9th to Saturday 24th May 2025 with Tangney Tours. The pilgrimage will be led by Fr Thomas Crean, OP with the Marian Franciscans Sisters. The theme of the pilgrimage is: “Persevering to the end: the need for private and public prayer”. Visits include Marian shrines, Paray-le-Monial, Tours, Mont Saint-Michel, and more. Further information and booking forms from Tangney Tours. You can also contact Annabelle at 07733 223 903.
HELPING THE HOMELESS AND NEEDY IN OUR AREA
HTB (Holy Trinity Brompton) run a morning shelter to assist those who are homeless or in vulnerable at St Augustine's Church, 117 Queen's Gate, SW7 5LP, every Wednesday 8am–1.30pm and Thursday 9.30am–1.30pm. They need all sort of help (serving, hosting, washing up, sewing, cleaning). If you are willing to spare some time for this service (you do not need to stay the whole time) or would like to know more on how you can help, please email HTB (mentioning that you heard about this from the Oratory) at shelter@htb.org.
CHILDREN’S AREA
St Gregory’s Library will remain open on Sunday mornings for parents whose children become restless during Mass. During redecoration of the Sacred Heart Chapel, entrance will be from the Church porch. Children must be supervised by their parents at all times. We need more volunteers for the 10am Mass. If you can spare a few hours on a Sunday occasionally to help, please contact David Campbell (phone 07768 176 848).
MASS INTENTIONS
CONTACTLESS GIVING AVAILABLE
Click here for more information.
You can still make a donation via Stripe (see here) or make a bank transfer. Our account details are:
Account Name: The Oratory
Sort Code: 60 04 04
Account Number: 18192947
Please add your surname and first name as a reference, to help our bursar.
The Oratory very much depends on your contributions, and we thank you in advance for your generosity.
GIFT AID – HELPING THE ORATORY
If you are a UK taxpayer, the Oratory can claim back from the Inland Revenue 25p of every £1 you give, at no cost or inconvenience to you. Setting up a Gift Aid arrangement helps the Oratory to increase its income (click here for the forms).
PRIEST REFERENCE FOR SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
Parents who wish one of the Oratory Fathers to give their child a school reference must register with the “Mass Attendance” scheme. Registration forms are available from the Oratory House.
UNABLE TO GET TO MASS ON SUNDAYS?
The Oratory runs a bus service staffed by volunteers to help the elderly and/or incapacitated attending the 11am Mass each Sunday. The minibus has a lift for wheelchairs and volunteers help passengers go to Holy Communion if required. The service is available to parishioners and those who live in the Fulham and Earl’s Court areas. Please email generalenquiries@bromptonoratory.co.uk or telephone 020 7808 0900 if you are interested in making use of this service, or if you would like to volunteer as a driver or helper.
PSYCHOTHERAPY AND LIFE COACHING
Wilfrid’s House is a BACP-accredited, registered charity based at the Oratory and committed to helping people cope with life’s challenges`. Through low-cost counselling and psychotherapy, they support individuals who are going through challenges such as anxiety, depression, inability to cope with daily life, relationship issues, and bereavement. Through low-cost life coaching, they support individuals who are feeling overwhelmed and unable to move forward with purpose. Whether you are struggling with change, big decisions or simply day-to-day life, coaching offers emotional and practical support, enabling clarity and structure and helping you achieve your goals. Further information at www.wilfridshouse.org.
For job vacancies in the Diocese of Westminster, see https://jobs.rcdow.org.uk/.
INFORMATION FOR MARRIAGE
If you would like to be married at the Oratory, we will need at least 6 months notice. For the initial enquiry please come to the Oratory House in person and ask to speak to the priest on duty (see Hours of Duty below). All subsequent meetings, bookings and arrangements will be done through him, so please make a note of his name! No wedding bookings will be taken over the telephone or by email.
If you do not normally worship at the Oratory, please state the name of the church where you usually attend Mass and give the reasons you wish to marry here (for instance, personal connection to the Oratory or one of our schools). It is important to approach the church first before making your plans for a reception venue. We do not have weddings on a Sunday.
There are various arrangements and legalities, both civil and ecclesiastical which need to be attended to. You will also need to undergo a course of preparatory instruction about the sacrament of marriage. Speak to the priest for more details.
Hours of Duty:
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-12.00pm; 3.00pm-5.30pm.
INFORMATION FOR BAPTISM
According to canon law, “Parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptised within the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth, indeed even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the sacrament for their child, and to be themselves duly prepared for it” (Code of Canon Law, can. 867 §1).
Those wishing to have their child baptised should contact the Oratory House and ask to speak to the priest on duty. All subsequent meeting, bookings and arrangements will be done through him. It will be necessary to meet with the priest for a class on the sacrament of baptism.
Normally baptisms take place in the parish where a family is resident. If you do not live within the territorial boundaries of the Oratory parish but have a good reason for wanting to have your child baptised here, please explain that to the priest on duty. In such cases your own parish priest will need to give permission for the baptism to take place at the Oratory.
The choice of godparents (sponsors), who are to help the baptised to live a good Christian life and faithfully to fulfil the duties inherent in baptism, is an important one. “There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each” (Code of Canon Law, can. 873). A godparent must be a Catholic of not less than sixteen years of age, who has been confirmed and who lives a life of faith that befits the role to be undertaken. A baptised person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may be admitted in company with a Catholic sponsor as a Christian witness.